Hannemann's new mission is to make Cubs

While the Cubs were expected to focus on pitching on Day 2 of the draft, the first guy they took Friday (75th overall) was Brigham Young center fielder Jacob Hannemann.

He's a 22-year-old freshman who delayed his education two years to complete his Latter Day Saints mission and has split his time between baseball and baseball. He was expected to contest for a starting spot at cornerback this fall. Most analysts didn't expect him to go before the fifth round but his stock soared along with his production late in the season.

Hannemann was drafted by the Royals in the 48th round in 2010 but teams knew it was very unlikely he would sign. His priority then was completing his church mission but it sounds like he's ready to start the climb to Wrigley Field.

"I wanted to go out and serve (after the 2010 draft), but I missed sports a lot," Hannemann told the Salt Lake Tribune before the draft. "The dream to be a professional baseball player was still there, but it was fuzzy. Now it's clear, like in HD. I never imagined it would come around so quickly."

Hannemann, listed at 6 feet 1, 195 pounds, is considered a complete player. He was rusty at the plate at the start of the season but had a slash line of .385/.453/.631 in his last 204 plate appearances, with 20 walks and 23 strikeouts.

Said BYU coach Mike Littlewood: "He's such an athletic kid with great upside — every single day he walks out onto the field, he gets better. He definitely has that killer instinct that comes with football.''

The Cubs picked four consecutive college right-handers after Hannemann and then a junior college left-hander, giving them pitchers on six of their first eight picks.

Vote of confidence: Manager Dale Sveum believes first-round pick Kris Bryant can play third base in the big leagues even though his size suggests he should be a first baseman or corner outfielder.

"He's a good athlete,'' Sveum said. "(Most third basemen) don't have the foot speed, the athleticism this guy has. He can throw from all angles. … He's the kind of guy who can do it.''

Sveum was amused that Bryant told reporters he will be ready to play in the big leagues as soon as he is signed to a contract.

"I was looking for a flight manifest,'' Sveum said.

Extra innings: Sveum indicated that Nate Schierholtz was available when he wasn't used to pinch hit for Scott Hairston or Darwin Barney in the eighth and ninth innings. If so, he should be in the lineup Saturday, as he's 3-for-5 lifetime against A.J. Burnett. … Shawn Camp threw his second bullpen session Friday and could be activated soon. He's on the disabled list with a sprained big toe. … First basemen Dan Vogelbach and Rock Shoulders were among six midseason All-Stars for low-A Kane County.